On Friday November 19th, there’s a Lunar Eclipse at 27° of Fixed Earth sign Taurus, focusing our attention to all things related to Love and Money. Lunar Eclipses are the equivalent of Full Moons on steroids, indicating periods of heightened intuition, passionate emotions, profound realizations and experiences of sudden loss. 

So it follows that, with a Lunar Eclipse in Taurus, losses, changes and realizations that come up now will center around our relationship to the themes of Love & Money, prompting us to re-evaluate our Finances and Relationships to see what’s working v. where we could improve. 

Burnt out by staid routines and the pressure of the practical demands of daily life (those bills won’t pay themselves!), our need for emotional stability feels challenged now—like we have to choose one at the expense of the other—as “Brain Fog” takes over and our unconscious fears re: financial and emotional security bubble uncomfortably to the forefront.

In the physical body, Taurus rules the throat, including the both the vocal cords and thyroid gland, which represent how we communicate and metabolize experiences. Why does this matter? Because, with the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Taurus, you could feel like you’re so exhausted trying to please others that you’ve literally lost your voice in some way—like you’re boiling over with emotion yet unable to express yourself.  

Lunar Eclipse in Taurus + Pluto in Capricorn: Deep Tissue Transformation

As the complexities of this highly emotional Lunar Eclipse unfold, the Moon’s potent connection to powerful Pluto brings long-held secrets and emotions to the surface which, in turn, opens up long-awaited opportunities for personal growth. 

Feelings of physical pain and fatigue (if not sheer exhaustion) are impossible to ignore these days, as if we’re mentally, physically and emotionally “Running on E” (and no I don’t mean “E for Ecstasy”).

But Pluto and Scorpio represent the principles of Elimination, Transformation and Reinvention, symbolized by the image of the Phoenix bursting into flames, only to be reborn from the ashes. 

So, as much as Fixed Signs dominate the scene at this Eclipse—and Fixed Signs do not like to let go—this Lunar Eclipse in Taurus marks the beginning of a much longer cycle of deep personal transformation and growth, should we choose to welcome it. 

In the upcoming months, any issues regarding Relationships and Finances are imbued with an “all-or-nothing” feeling that demands either a whole-hearted commitment to the process of renewal in these areas—even if involves the cutting out of emotional and financial crutches that don’t serve you anymore. 

Venus trine Uranus in Capricorn-Taurus: Work v. Play

While Pluto in Capricorn’s supportive angle to this Taurus Eclipse represents a powerful catalyst to a long upcoming period of personal, inner growth and transformation, at the moment there’s no question that Relationships are front and center now.

Finding out a partner is cheating, realizing a relationship wasn’t what you thought it was (or expected it would be) or unexpectedly having to put more time into Work than Play are all likely scenarios. 

Venus in Capricorn is currently in “Slo-Mo” as it approaches the beginning of its pre-Retrograde Shadow phase on November 30th, urging us to slow down and think carefully (read: practically) about the long-term potential of social, romantic and financial situations that arise. 

Capricorn rarely compromises their long-term relationship or financial goals at the expense of what they wisely know may only be a fleeting fling or “limited time investment opportunity” kind of thing. Uranus, on the other hand, represents the Need for Speed. So as magnetic, exciting or even “lucky” a romantic connection such as Venus-Uranus can bring, Venus in Capricorn is not turned on by the “Too Fast, Too Furious” approach when it comes to romance and relationships. 

Is this to say that we have to choose excitement over practicality when it comes to the complicated world of Love and Money now? Well, we might. It all depends on whether we have the presence of mind to play our cards right. Easier said than done, as Uranus in Taurus’ alignment with Venus in Cautious Capricorn acts to amplify our desire to advance any romantic and social agendas nonetheless.

Mars in Scorpio v. Uranus in Taurus: Volatility

Mars-Uranus is an emotionally violent astrological alignment, especially when planets in Fixed Signs Scorpio (Mars) and Taurus (Uranus) are involved. So, when hotheaded Mars in Scorpio squares off with impatient Uranus in Taurus, it only adds fuel to the fire, as impulsive action is at odds with the M.O. of slow and steady Venus in Capricorn. 

All Mars-Uranus entanglements are notoriously reckless, representing the potential for sudden endings and overblown misunderstandings that bring volatility to both our Financial and Emotional Lives. For instance, you may be overwhelmed or caught off guard by radical revelations or unexpected communications from significant others; or unpleasant news (or lack thereof) about a sudden lack of funds.

Finding out a partner is cheating; realizing a relationship wasn’t what you thought it was (or expected it would be). But though it may initially be tempting? Trying to hold on too tightly to toxic situations may see you losing more (both financially and romantically) than you could’ve anticipated when all is said and done. 

But even if what we realize, intuit or accidentally find out a Partner, Loved One or Money Matter now feels more jarring than we might like? Changes in intimate partnerships and finances are inevitable as the months unfold following this Taurus Lunar Eclipse. This isn’t to say such changes are “bad”—in fact, they’ll almost certainly result in our best financial and emotional interests in the long-run.

When on the Taurus-Scorpio axis, this planetary alignment causes conflict based on one central question: How do we differentiate between what actions constitute Healthy Self-Interest v. Purely Selfish Instincts? So, watch out for rash decisions driven and arguments driven by ego when it comes to the Taurus-Scorpio theme of Love & Money.

Mercury trine Neptune: The Joy of Communicating 

Despite the financial chaos and tense emotions leading up to this Lunar Eclipse in Taurus, the “way out” is compassionate communication, as Mercury in sensitive Scorpio reaches out to Neptune in pensive Pisces, offering a helping hand that allows us to slow long enough to smooth out any tension in these areas.

Like Libra and Cancer, Taurus is so fearful of Anger (expressing it or being on the receiving end)—the root of which is the deep-seated fear of failing to please others—that they’ll typically avoid the slightest of potential confrontations at all costs…Even if it means not talking at all. 

As a result, Mercury’s alignment to Neptune (exact on Thursday, November 18th) comes as a welcome relief from the comparatively volatile nature of the Mars-Uranus tension that built up earlier in the week. While Mars-Uranus wants its own way at all costs, Mercury-Neptune shows us that a healthy dose of empathy and honest communication (even if it means apologizing) goes a long way in solving seemingly insurmountable obstacles. 

Learning to communicate honestly and without fear is Taurus’ karmic lesson in this lifetime—to engage with others in a way that’s true to themselves and, in doing so, conquer their fear of conflict. Learning how not just to observe or act passively, but to open ourselves up to the catharsis that comes with speaking truthfully (even when it stings a little) is the only way to live authentically. 

So, if you believe, as Taurus does, that Silent is Golden, just keep in mind: there’s always a way to be honest while acting with compassion and empathy for others, to communicate openly without catastrophe—and to “do you” without doing so at the expense of others. Because without dialogue, there is no connection. Without commitment to open communication, relationships evaporate. And without conflict, there is no growth.